Wheeled luggage with molded polymeric shell and fabric construction

ABSTRACT

A wheeled luggage item comprises a molded shell and fabric in combination. The molded shell includes arcuate side panels which in cooperation with the fabric side panels of the luggage enable the incorporation of oversize storage pockets on the side panels which are easily accessible without access to the interior of the luggage through a front side panel. A method of attaching the fabric to the molded shell is also disclosed along with various reinforcing boards and members to facilitate the integrity of the combination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a principal aspect the present invention relates to wheeled luggage of the type which includes a telescoping handle projecting from one side and wheels provided on the opposite side. More particularly, the present invention relates to wheeled luggage which is comprised of a molded polymeric shell in combination with flexible fabric material.

Various luggage items are available which are identified generically as wheeled luggage. Typically, such products are fabricated from fabric mounted on a framework. Often the framework is at least, in part, a molded plastic material in which a telescoping handle is mounted and to which wheels are attached. Various other framing or bracket members are found in the prior art which employ a combination of fabric and framework, including metal framework, molded plastic framework and the like.

A desirable feature associated with such types of luggage items is the inclusion of zippered pockets which are easily accessible without opening up the entire luggage item or case. Such zippered pockets may, for example, be incorporated along the sides of the luggage or on the front panel of the luggage. However, if the luggage item is fabricated from an entirely molded plastic, metal or other rigid material, pockets are difficult to incorporate. Thus, many wheeled luggage items include fabric panels incorporated with a molded plastic or metal shell. The fabric panels may thus include zippered flaps that provide access to pockets without opening the main panel or without opening the luggage item. The present invention relates to such a construction and more particularly to improvements in such a construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises luggage which is constructed from a molded shell having a generally rectangular back side, a bottom side to which wheels are affixed, a top side from which a telescoping handle projects and lateral sides that are configured with an arcuate or other similar shape which forms a curved wall that is of lesser height in the middle of the wall. The remaining sides of the generally rectangular parallelepiped luggage item are formed from fabric material. As a consequence of the molded side configuration of the molded shell, it is possible to include side pockets having a greater size than usually attributable to such constructions. As an additional feature of the invention, a reinforcing panel is provided on the inside of the bottom side of the luggage item. Further, the perimeter of the molded shell includes an elastomeric strip around the periphery of the molded shell which facilitates attachment of fabric by stitching to the molded shell.

Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an approved wheeled luggage item which is comprised of a molded shell in combination with fabric panels.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a generally parallelepiped luggage item which is comprised of a shaped, molded shell with side panels that are at least partially comprised of fabric material to enable inclusion of storage pockets accessible from the sides of the luggage item.

Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage item which may be wheeled and which may include a telescoping handle and which further includes reinforcing members positioned at strategic places within the luggage to facilitate the maintenance of the shape of the luggage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rugged, durable, lightweight and inexpensive luggage item which has the capability of being a wheeled luggage item.

These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the wheel construction associated with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a back side view of the molded shell associated with the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the molded shell of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view depicting the seam construction for attaching fabric to the molded shell of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a side cross sectional view of the attachment feature depicted in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a reinforcing panel incorporated into the inside of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is a bottom elevation view depicting the positioning of the reinforcing board of FIG. 12 within the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the lower end of the telescoping handle incorporated in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the molded shell with the telescoping handle and reinforcing base board incorporated therein; and

FIG. 16 is a front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 depicting the front side panel in an open position.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The overall configuration of the wheeled luggage item embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 1. A molded shell 20 is fabricated from a polymeric material and thus has a generally rigid characteristic associated therewith. The molded shell 20 is cooperative with fabric components generally depicted at 22. The luggage item typically is wheeled and includes, for example, wheels 24 and a telescoping handle 26 which may be folded, inserted or maintained within the luggage item and more particularly within the shell 20. The luggage item typically has a rectangular parallelepiped configuration. In the embodiment of the invention depicted, the invention includes the wheeled feature incorporating wheels 24 and a telescoping handle 26. The invention, however, is not limited to wheeled luggage, necessarily.

The shell 20 includes a generally rectangular back side 28, a first lateral side 30, a second lateral side 32, a top side 34 and a bottom side 36. The molded shell 20 includes pockets molded therein for receipt of wheels 24. Thus, a pocket 38 is provided for recessing each of the wheels. The wheels, of course, project beyond the bottom side 36 so that the wheeled luggage may be easily transported. A telescoping handle 26 may be telescoped into position with the interior of the shell 20. A manual carry handle 40 is typically attached to the top side 34 of the shell thus enabling carriage of the luggage item by the handle 40.

Typically, the shell 40, and more particularly, the top side 34 and the bottom side 36 have a generally congruent and generally rectangular configuration. The top side 34 and bottom side 36 are joined to one another by the first and second lateral side panels 30 and 32. The lateral side panels 30 and 32 are generally congruent. The panels 30, 32, 34 and 36 collectively define an open top enclosure in combination with the back side panel 28. The edges or top sides of the walls 30, 32, 34 and 36 define a generally rectangular wall extending peripherally and transversely from the back side 28. The sides 28, 30, 34 and 36 include a top edge to which fabric material is attached to form the completed enclosure defining the luggage item. An important feature of the shell 20 is associated with the construction of the side panels 30 and 32. That is, the side panels are generally congruent in configuration. Additionally, the side panels 30 and 32 include an upper edge or margin such as the upper edge or margin 44 in FIG. 6 which extends a lesser dimension from the back side panel 28 at the mid portions thereof relative to the end portions thereof. In other words, the first and second lateral sides each have an edge which is configured with the opposite ends thereof spaced a greater distance from the back side panel 28 than sections of the edge 44 which are between the opposite ends. In the embodiment depicted, the edge 44 is a curved or arcuate configuration. However, other configurations may be employed. As set forth hereinafter, the benefit and purpose of the particular configuration of the lateral side panels 30 and 32 will become apparent.

In the embodiment depicted, the generally rectangular parallelepiped configuration of the luggage item is completed by providing a front fabric panel 46 and a first lateral side fabric panel 48. At opposite lateral side panel 50 a top fabric panel 52 and a bottom side panel 54. Together, the fabric panels, in combination with the shell 20, form a completed generally rectangular parallelepiped luggage item.

The fabric panels are somewhat flexible and the front side panel 46 includes fasteners such as fasteners 56, 60 and 62 which are in the embodiment depicted zippers. The fasteners 56 and 62 define flaps, such as a first flap 64 which, when opened, will expose a portion of the interior of the luggage item. The fastener 62, when opened, will enable opening of a full flap 66 which covers the entire front side of the luggage item and permits access to the interior thereof, for example, as depicted in FIG. 16.

The fabric forming the outside of the luggage item is attached to the shell in the manner depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11. More specifically, an elastomeric strip 80 which includes a first channel 82 and a second channel 84 opening in opposite directions so that the cross sectional configuration of the elastomeric strip 80 is generally in the shape of the letter S enables placement of the strip 82 over the edge 44 of the shell 20. Further, fabric, such as the fabric side material 32, may be inserted into the companion channel 84 and attached to the shell 20 by means of stitching 86 as shown in FIG. 11. In practice, the foot of a sewing machine can be guided by the channel 84 to facilitate the appropriate stitching of the strip and fabric to the edge 44 of the shell 20. Further, the configuration of the strip 80 will insure that the elastomeric strip will cover the stitching and protect the stitching from being abraded and will also have an aesthetic impact in that the stitching is not visible. It is to be noted that the telescoping handle and more particularly the tubular member 94 which includes the telescoping handle 26 is fastened to the bottom side of the shell 20 and extends upwardly through the top side 34 thereby being rigidly maintained in position within the interior of the luggage item. This facilitates the structural integrity and ease of operation of the telescoping handle. Variations of the construction may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the configuration of the lateral sides of the shell 20 may be varied. A curved or arcuate shape is not necessarily required. The positioning size and shape of the various pockets may, of course, be varied. The invention therefore is to be limited only the following claims and equivalents thereof. 

1. Luggage, comprising in combination: a molded shell having a generally rectangular back side, a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral side connecting the top side and bottom side, and a spaced second lateral side generally parallel to, spaced from the first lateral side and connecting the top side and bottom side, said top side, bottom side, first lateral side and second lateral side forming a peripheral wall extending generally transversely from the back side, said top side and said bottom side being generally congruent, said first lateral side and said second lateral side being generally congruent, said top side and said bottom side being generally rectangular, said first lateral side and said second lateral side each having an outer edge configured with the opposite end thereof spaced a greater distance from the back side panel than sections of said edge therebetween; and a fabric panel assembly attached to the top side, first and second lateral sides and bottom side of the shell to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped enclosure with at least first and second lateral composite panels comprised of fabric and said first and second lateral sides of said shell.
 2. The luggage of claim 1 further including a fabric pocket on the outside of said fabric forming at least one composite lateral side.
 3. The luggage of claim 1 further including an elastomeric strip having a first channel fitted over said peripheral edge of the shell and a second channel adjacent thereto for receipt of said fabric.
 4. The luggage of claim 3 further including stitching through said fabric and said shell to attach said fabric to said shell, said stitching covered within said second channel.
 5. The luggage of claim 1 further including a generally rigid board member fastened to the bottom side of said shell on the inside thereof.
 6. The luggage of claim 5 wherein the luggage includes a composite bottom side comprised of said bottom side of said shell and said fabric, and said board member is fitted over the composite bottom side and fastened thereto.
 7. The luggage of claim 6 further including a support skeg on the composite bottom side fastened to said composite side and said board member.
 8. The luggage of claim 6 further including a telescoping handle extending generally from the bottom side of said shell through the top side of said shell.
 9. The luggage of claim 8 further including a bracket for attaching the telescoping handle to the bottom side of said shell, said bracket further fastened to said board member.
 10. The luggage of claim 8 further including wheels attached to the bottom side of said shell.
 11. The luggage of claim 1 including a fabric pocket on the outside of the fabric forming each composite lateral side.
 12. The luggage of claim 1 wherein the outer edge along said first and second lateral sides of said shell comprises an arcuate shape extending between the bottom side and the top side.
 13. The luggage of claim 3 wherein the strip has an S-shaped cross section.
 14. The luggage of claim 1 further including a carry handle on the top side of said shell.
 15. The luggage of claim 12 including a fabric pocket on the outside of fabric forming at least one composite lateral side.
 16. The luggage of claim 3 further including a generally rigid board member fastened to the bottom side of said shell.
 17. The luggage of claim 16 further including a skeg fastened to the bottom side and board member and a telescoping handle fastened to the bottom side and board member and extending through the top side.
 18. The luggage of claim 17 wherein the elastomeric strip has an S-cross sectional shape. 